Releasable sealing closure



March 9, 1954 R. c. WOLFE 2,671,574

' RELEASABLE SEALING CLOSURE Filed Dec. 4, 1950 INVENTOR. Richard C. Wolfe fliz orw.

Patented Mar. 9, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to closures, plugs, fastenings and the like, usually imperforate and metallic in character, adapted to be secured into or to seal an opening or aperture in a vessel, shell, partition, bulkhead, container or the like. A typical application is as a cap for a conventional tin can. This invention is an improvement on that disclosed in my U. S. Patent Number 2,024,495 of December 1'7, 1935. The design of this closure as revealed in the patent was basically correct but did not indicate the best form for the radial beads, ribs or corrugations on the cone shaped or flat central head part or those around the lower portion of the cylindrical skirt. It has now been determined that when the form illustrated in the patent is employed, there is insuflicient flexibility of the expanding skirt, with the result that the pressure required to flex the conical body or head sometimes results in deformation of the head without expansion of the skirt. It has also been determined that an outward tension applied to the central portion of the head may be equally or more desirable as a means of contracting the inner or lower locking portion of the skirt, as against inward pressure, for the purpose of applying or removing the closure.

The device is of course imperforate so as to function as a sealing closure or cap.

With the foregoing in mind, the invention has as its object to provide an imperforate closure including a generally cylindrical skirt portion and a central body portion, so indented and shaped that the body will, under axial pressure, change shape in a manner to transmit radial movement to the skirt and the skirt will freely expand or contract radially in response to such movement, so as to lock or unlock the cap in a container opening.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the ensuing specifications and appended drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a container cap showing the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the same, partially in section.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the cap.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, and showing the closure inserted into a container, in the unlocked condition; t

Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing the closure within an opening in a container, and illustrating the locking of the skirt in the opening; and

Fig. 6 is a view showing the cap in a modified environment.

or bead 5.

Referring in detail to the several figures of the drawing:

I indicates the head of the cap which is coneshaped and preferably has the configuration of a truncated cone with the central portion thereof flattened as at 2. Said head is provided with a series of radially disposed ribs, beads or corrugations 3 of V section preferably continuous circumferentially and of equal size at any given radius and extending from the lower or inner circumferential edge of said head or body to the flattened portion 2. The head is provided with an integral axially extending annular flange-like sleeve or skirt 4 which terminates in an outwardly extending annular flange 6 having a free edge Bead 5 may function to retain a gasket 2E3 against the underside of flange 6. The lower or inner side of the skirt 4 is preferably provided throughout its circumference with V section corrugations 1 projecting inwardly. These corrugations at the lower edge of the skirt are of the same dimensions circumferentially as those on the head at its outer circumference, and are so spaced that the apices of the inwardly projecting skirt corrugations intersect the roots or bottoms of the troughs defined between the downwardly extending corrugations 3 of the head. The ends of corrugations 3 are integrally joined to the ends of corrugations 1 by bends I8 which, as best illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, are inclined upwardly and outwardly at approximately 45 degrees to the plane of rim 6. In the expanding action, described more fully hereinafter, the corrugations 3 and l pivot relative to each other along axes disposed at bends [8, so as to accommodate any change in the angle subtended between them which may be required by the flattening of the corrugations hereinafter referred to. Such pivotal movement, which will be slight magnitude, will be provided for by a slight bending at bends l8. In this manner the flexibility required for the expansion of the lower portion of the skirt is obtained.

The body of the container or receptacle to which the cap is to be applied in order to close the same, is indicated at B. Said receptacle has secured thereto, in any manner, an upper wall 9 channeled as at ID, the inner side of said channel having a bead H which terminates in a downwardly extending annular flange l2 forming an annular opening in the top of the container or receptacle. To apply the cap of the invention to said opening in said upper wall 9 of the container the cap is slipped therein so that the upper, uncorrugated portion of skirt 4 of the cap will engage the downwardly extending annular flange [2 of the container all as shown in Fig. 4. To look the cap Within said opening so as to seal the contents of the container, pressure is applied downwardly against the cap and preferably to the flattened central portion 2 of the frusto-conical head I so as to bend or expand said head until it passes through dead center and assumes theshape of a cone that is inverted with reference to its initial condition, as shown in Fig. 5. The cone may approach more near- 1y a flat plane, as indicated in dotted lines at 2 than in the released position shown in ifull lines in Fig. 4. When expanded downwardly, the beads or corrugations expand and flatten to an extent, as do the corrugations 1 in the skirt which in turn force the lower periphery 'of the skirt or flange 4 to expand radially outward so that it will engage beneath the lower edge or minor diameter of the annular flange I2 of the head of the'container as illustrated ;in "Fig. 5 and thus prevent removal or loosening 'of the cap or c'losure, 'At the sarne time there is created sufficient pressure of the flangefB against the bead 5 to hermetically seal its gasket 20 against bead ll. V

I it willbe understood that in many cases the locking and sealing position jof the cap may be effected even though it does not assume the position' shown in Fig, 5, it being necessary merely that fthe metal be flattened and the corrugations 3 21I1d l, or either of them, be expanded to an extent sufiicient to f orcethe lower circumferential edge of the head of the cap beneath the lower edgeof the flange E2 of the upper wall or" the'container. It will be further understood that it is not necessary to provide the container with an uDDerwall as such, it being necessary merely'in some cases that'itbeprovided'with ahead or other projection at oradjacent its upper edge beneath which'the cap mayengage when'in locking position.

"After the cap has been expanded into lbcking positiongin order to remove thesaniean upward o r ;outward-pull'is applied by means of the lifting ring orfpiece {3' shown pivotally connected to the flattened portion 2 of memberZ by means of a yoke |j4{secur e d to head lby any'suitablemeans. Xoke M in turn'actsto stiffen and prevent deformation of niember'i The exact designof'thisflift meme-ans is not necessarily; limited to that shown. The upward or outward pull, which may be api it er man o rm n ofeny commen and convenient implement such "as ascrewdriver ora commonbeer-can opener, 'willreforrn th e'closure or cap to'the condition shown'inFig. 4 permitting its removal. Asa variation of the above method of removahand according to the temperof the metal and details of the design, the head of the enclosure maybe deformed by means of pressure applied downward or inward by any suitable implement or manually into an inverted'cone of greater taper than that of the locked condition,'a's indicated by dotted'linesat 2' in Fig.4 or as illustratedin Fig. 5. In this manner the expanded lower periphery of "the skirti'sdrawninto a diameter thatwill permit removal of the cap or closure. I

It 'is'important that the metal bebf such a temper andg'auge as to give the 'n'cessarypliancy to permit the'cap or'clo'sur'e to functionin the'manner herein before described. Attention is'di'awn to the fact that/with theskirt in the contracted "state, I the cap or closuie may be us'd in much the same manner as the conventional single friction closure.

In a modification of the invention wherein the cap would be produced initially in the condition as illustrated in Fig. 5 the metal of the closure is of such a temper or nature as to make it appreciably more resilient or springy than the metal of the closure in the just described form of the cap or closure. It will be noted that the cap is produced and applied in the already "expanded form with the diameter of the bulged portion 2! of the cap or closure of a larger diameter than the opening in the container. This expanded or bulged portion'of the closure skirt 2| is contracted on application of the closure to the container "eitherdire'ctly'as a result of the radial component of the'prssure 'o'f'the annular flange [2 against it or by means of pressure or tension applied to the center 2 of the head of the closure or cap. When the cap is in place, and the center 2 ofits head is relieved of any applied 'force,'the"'lower portion *2] of'the skirt will again expand to its original diameter due to its 'inhe'rent're'silience and engage underneath and tightly faga' inst 'tlie ldWel' Edge Of t e flange 'I'Z of 'the container flange. This action "likewise tends to drawthe closure flange 6 down against the head I I of the containerresulting inpressure on gasket '20 providinga'n hermetic'seal where'a gasket-is used. Fig. 2 shows a gasket undentlielip, 'which"h1ay be rubber or any suitable'm'atrial for"thoseap plications where an hermetic'or moisture'resis't' ant seal is required. Whena gasket is not used the upper portion ofthe'annul'ar skirt'or'flan'ge4 of thecap maybe of sucha diameteras toenga ge securely with the annular'fia'nge 1215f the'container when the cap is in*place thus forming the samedegree of "sealing that is provide'dbfthe conventional single friction cap. In'the preferred form of this modification, removal would "bea'ccomplishe'd by upward tension "on the "lifting piece l3. In'this'case such tension would,'asin the 'firstdescribed modification, contract the expanded portion [9 of the skirt'of the capuntil its reduced diameter permitted removal.

It willbe' apparent. that the constructionabove described may be applied with'advantage'toother than 'closures'or caps for tin canso1"oth'er"'containers. A few 'suchappli'cations arefbl'anking caps for openings in electrical apparatus, and wiring devices especially, where an explosion or moisture proofing is desired; 'blanking'plat'sfor un'threaded inspection holes or father apertures; easily applied hermetic patches for repairing holsin'aircraft skin in "which case-a variation in"design could provide smooth outer fairing; blind fasteners and particularly 'holl'o'w blind fasteners'inthe applicationof which somedegree of sealing is desirable. Such a fastener is-sho'wn in Fig. "6, the two sheets ['5 and l 6 being secured together by the fastener. In 'thelattenconnecti'on it can be "pointed'out "that therear'e' incurrent usag'e'fastener'susu'allydescribed as blind rivets whichare produced rom wire or bar stock and are functionally practicable in sinall" diair eter only, also snap type iasterie applied blind by similar to that h r a expansion "offth'e end portion 1 "injgene rafob tained by virtue" of "slotted 'ijer'rorauozifin t e'ad of corrugations.

, elects-l f gev d 'fb jj t eff oiiturating device 'compri'sin'ga meniberha'v- 'ing radially extending corrugations or v sa-ates described, an

circumferential section, a skirt member havin a horizontally extending flat peripheral flange projecting outwardly from one end thereof, and a plurality of bends integrally joining the other end of said skirt member to the periphery of said head member, said skirt member having axially extending corrugations likewise of V-shaped aircumferential section, the respective corrugations, externally, having alternate apex ridges and trough roots, and being arranged with the ridges of one of said members intersecting adjoining extremities of said bends and the roots of the other of said members, and vice-versa said corrugations having flat side walls and the side walls of the one member being joined to those of the other member through the respective bends, said bends being disposed diagonally in both axial and radial directions, whereby axial movement of the inner area of said head will, by toggle action, radially expand or contract the adjoining area of the skirt, and whereby angular displacement between the side walls of the head and the adjoining side walls of the skirt will be accommodated by bending action in said bends, without deforming said obturating member.

2. In a device of the character described, an obturating device comprising a normally conical head member having radially extending corrugations of V-shaped circumferential section, a skirt member having a peripheral flange projecting generally radially outwardly from one end thereof, and a plurality of bends integrally join ing the other end of said skirt member to the periphery of said head member, said skirt member having axially extending corrugations, likewise of V-shaped circumferential section, the respective corrugations, externally, having alternate apex ridges and trough roots, and being arranged with the ridges of one of said members intersecting adjoining extremities of said bends and the A T roots of the other of said members, and vice versa, said corrugations having flat side walls and the side walls of the one member being joined to those of the other member through the respective bends, said bends being disposed diagr nally in both axial and radial directions, whereby axial flattening movement of the head will effect radial expansion of the adjoining marginal area of the skirt and whereby angular displacement between the side walls of the head and the adjoining side walls of the skirt will be accommodated by bending action in said bends, without deforming said obturating member.

3. An obturating device comprising a head having radially extending corrugations; a skirt having axially extending corrugations and having a peripheral flange projecting generally radially outwardly from one axial extremity thereof; and a plurality of straight-line bends integrally joining the other axial extremity of said skirt to the periphery of said head whereby said obturating device is generally cup-shaped; all of said corrugations being of V-shaped circumferential section, and the respective corrugations, externally, having alternate apex ridges and trough roots, both of straight-line longitudinal contour, and

being arranged with the corrugations of the head joining the corrugations of the skirt in staggered relation such that the apex ridges of the head intersect the trough roots of the skirt and vice versa, each such intersection occurring at adjoining extremities of said bends; said corrugations having side walls that are substantially fiat, the side walls of the head being joined to the side walls of the skirt through said bends; and said bends being disposed diagonally in both axial and radial directions, whereby axial movement of the inner area of said head will, by toggle action, radially expand or contract the adjoining area of the skirt, and whereby angular displacement between the side walls on respective sides of said bends will be accommodated by bending action in said bends, without deforming said corrugations longitudinally; and a gasket attached to the under face of said peripheral flange.

4. An obturating device comprising a head having radially extending corrugations; a skirt having axially extending corrugations and having a peripheral flange projecting generally radially outwardly from one axial extremity thereof; a plurality of straight-line bends integrally joining the other axial extremity of said skirt to the periphery of said head whereby said obturating device is generally cup-shaped; all of said corrugations being of V-shaped circumferential section, and the respective corrugations, externally, having alternate apex ridges and trough roots, and being arranged with the corrugations of the head joining the corrugations of the skirt in staggered relation such that the apex ridges of the head intersect the trough roots of the skirt and vice versa, each such intersection occurring at adjoining extremities of said bends, said corrugations having side walls that are substantially flat in the areas thereof adjacent said bends, the side walls of the head being joined to the side walls of the skirt through said bends; and said bends being disposed diagonally in both axial and radial directions, whereby axial movement of the inner area of said head will, by toggle action, radially expand or contract the adjoining area of the skirt, and whereby angular displacement between the side walls on respec tive sides of said bends will be accommodated by bending action in said bends, without deforming said corrugations longitudinally; and means attached to the center of the head for imparting axial movement thereto.

RICHARD C. WOLFE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 781,182 Brewington Jan. 31, 1905 905,652 Comings Dec. 1, 1908 911,380 Comings Feb. 2, 1909 2,024,495 Wolfe Dec. 17, 1935 2,487,635 Carpenter Nov. 8, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 307,337 Italy Apr. 29, 1933 

